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Sports TwitterFootball forfeits likely at Alter
Does the punishment fit the crime?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Alter High School used an ineligible player in its first two football games this season and apparently will have to forfeit both.
"Looks like it's true," Alter coach Ed Domsitz said Saturday, Sept. 13.
The Knights improved to 4-0 on Friday by beating Cincinnati Roger Bacon, 34-7. Their first two wins were blowouts of Fairmont (39-7) and Bellbrook (49-14).
At issue is a student who transferred from Jefferson High School. Domsitz, in his 17th year at Alter, said he's never seen anything like this in 33 years of coaching.
"It wasn't a matter of age or grades," Domsitz said in a phone interview. "It was a transfer situation where an individual was not an athlete when he came in and actually ended up taking his sophomore year again at Alter. This was something we weren't aware of, we being football."
"We didn't know this young man was going to play sports," Domsitz said. "I didn't even know him when he came to school. Then he decided he would. It's not the fault of any one department."
Domsitz said he found out Friday morning when a guidance counselor met with him to discuss the student. Athletic Director Chris Hart then accompanied Domsitz to the principal's office and "we all came to the same conclusion," the coach said. "There was no room to maneuver."
A formal letter was sent to the OHSAA reporting the violation, according to Domsitz, who said, "As bad as it feels and as much as it hurts, you've got to be willing to do the right thing."
Domsitz said he broke the news to the team Saturday and plans to share details with parents at the team's weekly film session Monday night.
It's a shocking blow to the state's No. 2-ranked Division IV team. There's a chance the Knights will need to win the rest of their games to make the playoffs.
"There's not much room for failure," Domsitz conceded. "If we can go 8-2, then we'd have a pretty good shot. That's the premise we're working on."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By Old Knight
October 8, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
Continued. I must have heard that Alter had recruited me a thousand times. The truth was that no one involved with athletics even knew I was alive until I showed up for the first team meeting. Four years later, that coach had moved to Purdue and recruited me. The 1st time he came to my house, I told him he changed my life, he did not remember me, but he told me that he must have given the same advice to 100 kids.
By Old Knight
October 8, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
The ignorant are still accusing Alter of recruiting without any evidence. Many years ago, I was the “star” of a middle school team. My dad and I went to a football clinic at Miami U, he asked the coach, what could I do to get the best shot to play in college? The coach said that I needed to go to a successful program with coaches that knew what they were doing and I would be challenged by other good athletes. So we took his advice and I went to Alter. CONTINUE
By Charles
September 23, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
“You may be forgetting the fact that the PLAYOFFS are part of the POST season, so again I will say, the seniors of the Alter football team have never lost a game.”
But those are still games are they not? They’re not regular season games but to say they’re not games in itself is absurd. Good luck still trying to get that 1st state title you’ll never get! HAHA!
By P David
September 21, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
In spite of the wacky lawyer’s advice to the staff, Alter did the right thing.
By FHSRules
September 19, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
How does a student who flunks his sophomore year get into a prestigious school like Alter? Did the administrators not check his transcripts to see that he flunked? Maybe they were too busy checking his height, weight, and 40 yard dash time to look at his grades? Also, is Domsitz serious when he says he didn’t know? Doesn’t he check the players grades and eligibility? Maybe they should keep their hands in their own pot!
By worried!
September 18, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
It’s not that we are feeling sorry for Alter football, it is that we think they are a pretty honest team to do what they have done. Not many other people would take that risk, they would take the sly way out. I am really beginning to wonder if this wasn’t some kind of thing Maurice Douglas and the Trotwood boys had set up? It’s just all pretty suspicious.
By HSFfan
September 18, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
Thank you for specifying….
I really cannot believe anyone is feeling SORRY for Alter Football right now.
By worried!
September 17, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
HSFfan — You may be forgetting the fact that the PLAYOFFS are part of the POST season, so again I will say, the seniors of the Alter football team have never lost a game. And to everyone else: Even if they will suffer this penalty they will still end this season 8-2, and we can only pray that’s good enough for the post season. And to the people saying Ed Domsitz is racist, I don’t know if you know who Ed is or not, but he is the furthest thing from racist I can possibly think of.
By you dont even know.
September 17, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
this is ridiculous!i dont see why people are making such a big deal about it. its not like coach domsitz knew about it. i feel bad for the poor senoirs there this year. their records are permanately damaged because of this kid. theyve never lost a regualr season game until now. those 2 games they had to give up.
By you dont even know.
September 17, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
this is ridiculous!i dont see why people are making such a big deal about it. its not like coach domsitz knew about it. i feel bad for the poor senoirs there this year. their records are permanately damaged because of this kid. theyve never lost a regualr season game until now. those 2 games they had to give up.
By pastknight15
September 17, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
recruiting???? This high school STUDENT never played a down of football until his 5th year in high school (which happened to be at Alter) The kid hardly played in the games and was actually just getting playing time (in games that were already over in means of the score) that would act towards credit of his Varsity letter.
The problem here is to many high school quarters since he had to repeat his sophmore year. NOT BECAUSE HE GOT RECRUITED TO PLAY 10 downs of football in 2 games.
By adam
September 16, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
alter didnt recruit this kid. he came over not playing any sports and then he decided to play football. he played at the end of those game when alter was demolishing those two teams. i dont see why this is a big deal. for all those people saying that alter is racist…shame
By MAC_FAN
September 16, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Kudos to Coach Domsitz and the administration at Alter. Integrity is doing the right thing even when it hurts. Hope the Knights can win out and finish at 8-2. The way the region is shaping up that should get them into the post season.
By HSFfan
September 16, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
Wait wait wait. His seniors have never lost a game? Are we forgetting about them choking the last two years in the playoffs?
By worried!
September 15, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
The whole team should not be penalized for a situation that was out of their control. I am praying the OHSAA will look at this problem and understand that this problem had nothing to do with the football association. Domsitz is a great coach, and his seniors have never lost a game, hopefully it can remain this way!
By Charles
September 15, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Wait Wait Wait! We’re talking about the same Alter High School who started a race fight with CJ after the 2003 Freshmen Football Game????? Because Alter’s coach called a CJ player the N-Word??? SHOCKING!
By Springfield Resident who loves the KNIGHTS
September 15, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
I commend Coach Domsitz and his staff for being honest. That poor student feels horrible, he hardly even played the first 2 games. All he wanted to do is get a letter in a sport and Coach Domsitz gave him a chance, because that’s what kind of person/coach he is. GO KNIGHTS we’ll see you in CANTON…
By kettering cheats too
September 15, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
kettering fairmont is cheating too alex marcono who plays varsity for the firebirds lives in belmont that is dayton!!!!
By Jim
September 14, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
If everyone at the school wasn’t drunk and gambling at Alterfest, they might have caught the error.
By boxter
September 14, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Call Jay over at Valley View and ask what he has done for the last 12 years to recruit and get away with it. VV has been doing this for years. Their championships are tainted. Where did Brock Bolen live again?
By KB
September 14, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
If the Alter coaches let the kid play knowing he was inelligible, then I could understand the outrage, but they didn’t know about it. When they found out, they reported it. What more can you ask for? The only reason you people are happy about this is because Alter stands for honesty, excellence, discipline and the truth, and when something bad happens to an upstanding school you feel better about yourselves. “Only something good can be corrupted.” G.K Chesteron.
By KB
September 14, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
Michael Shaw transferring from Alter to Trotwood Madison is an example of Cheating. They were trying to get away with something they knew was against the rules. Alter on the other hand was honest and reported the incident once they realized there was a problem. Those who say Alter “cheated” are not using logic and obviously didn’t get a good Catholic education grounded in philosophy and ethics. This community and this world needs Alter, CJ and Carroll now more than ever.
By sparkey
September 14, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
The simple answer is;”Yes”. He was an ineligible player and the coach knew it. This is not only the fault of the coach, but also of the player who knew he shouldn’t have played. What I’m really surprised about is that the entire season hasn’t been cancelled as punishment for the school and as a precaution for other schools to not play ineligible players.
By KB
September 14, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Alter did not cheat. Cheating is trying to pull one over on the OHSAA. Alter found out about the situation and reported it.
Alter had a right to complain about Michael Shaw. That was an illegal transfer. Michael Shaw had tons of exposure at Alter and his scholarship was determined by his Alter experience, not for anything he did at Trotwood Madison. Michigan and Penn State already knew they wanted him before the transfer.
By hornytoad
September 14, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
screw alter
By zaire
September 14, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Wow what a program a honest program and school i wont my son to attend for they have the guts and the intergrity to stand up for what they beleive and is simply this”Do the right thing” no matter what the cost and outcome may be and to do it all the the time no matter what people may think. Here here to the Knight’s and their coach……
By concerned individual
September 14, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Well, if no one is going to investigate the rampant steroid and HGH use of Alter football players, I suppose this is a way to put them in their place.
By HSFfan
September 14, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Its plain and simple, Alter broke the rules and they should pay for it. Like every one else. They don’t need some pity party because they turned themselves in. Give me a break. Suck it up, take the two loss penalty and go on with it.
And as for recruiting, Alter DOES recruit, there is no doubt about it. But that is unrelated to this story. This isn’t about recruitment.
By tony
September 14, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Its funny how Alter turned in Trotwood because Mike Shaw transferd there. Alter recruits, cheats and are a bunch of racist. They deserve everything they get and if he is black I dont know why he would go there anyway their not going to showcase him anyway so he’ll be recruited by a top school.
By preacher,franklin,ohio
September 14, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
cheat andlose ,putfaith andtrust in god not sports geter done for jesus god bless you all love in chirst preacher.l
By Aaron
September 14, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Whoo! Bellbrook 4-0. WHAT NOW BABY. and maybe they’re not “recruiting” but whoever is good at football and doesn’t work well with their team or doesn’t like their team they go to alter, just because they’re good at football.. so it’s basically recruiting.
By Ice Bandit
September 14, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Alter recruits? That’s criminal. We certainly don’t want to deprive any student of the ivy-league quality of the Dayton or Jefferson public schools (that sound you hear is my tongue moving firmly into my cheek)….
By craig
September 14, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Chris Hart needs to be a full time AD. She should not be the Head Basketball Coach and the part time AD. The problem may have been spotted from the beginning.
By AlterPride
September 14, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing how much some of you want to bring Alter down just because they beat you. We are not cheaters and do not recruit thank you very much.
By AlterPride
September 14, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing how much some of you want to bring Alter down just because they beat you. We are not cheaters and do not recruit thank you very much.
By kurt
September 14, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Alter stomp its way to the state finals ? My,My,what short memories we have.There’s a school,an hour to the north that you overlooked last year and apparently this year too
By rick
September 14, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
I want to commend Alter for having the integrity to do the right thing. Although they do recruit, they do it within the “rules” with nothing under the table or overtly illegal.
By andy
September 14, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Live by the sword (getting top athletes from all over the region), die by the sword. These OHSAA regulations are the rules everyone plays by. They are consistently enforced and should be. Otherwise, all a coach would have to do is plead ignorance. Hats off to the athletic department for doing the right thing.
By Sarah
September 14, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
RACIST? CHEATERS? what the heck people? It’s a mistake, and they IMMEDIATELY turned themselves in. This is a school who pushes for EXCELLENCE in everything they do. They don’t HAVE to recruit, cheat, or be racist to win. When that type of an atmosphere permeates everything, the students are going to push THEMSELVES to do the best they can in everything from academics, to theatre, to football. You’re just pissed that we beat your teams every year. Get over yourselves and find a life!
By Alter Cheats!!!!
September 14, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Alter and Centerville recruit!!!! Wont be long until the good ol’ boy network is busted up and both these racist programs goes down!!!!
By guru
September 14, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
HA! HA! HA! well well so douglass isnt the only CHEATER after all, well no duhhhh!!!! “oh, we didnt know”“” Whatever serves you right you SNAKE CHEATER!!! Have fun watching the playoffs this year, theyll be on ONN!!HARDY HAR HAR!!!!!!
By Big D '77
September 14, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
This kid didn’t score 40 points to win those games. The rest of the football team did!
I don’t agree with the punishment. It wasn’t cheating. When you turn yourself in, you should be comended and I think Coach Domsitz did the right thing. You all know that this team will stomp everyone in their path on the way to the State Championship game.
Walt, you must follow losers. Daniel, you’re probably right and Zach, you must be my twin because your face looks Zachary like my A S S. GO KNIGHTS!!
By Fredo
September 14, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Hahahahaha … another Catholic team caught cheating and recruiting …. they deserve the death penalty … 2 years, no football … GO SOUTHERN CAL !!!!
By AlterPride
September 14, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
CHEATING!?! If they were cheating, I highly doubt that they would’ve turned themselves in to the OHSSA. Nobody from another school or the OHSAA “discovered” this and alerted everyone, the Alter administration found out about this, and definetly did the right thing BY NOT CHEATING. To support my reasoning for not cheating, Why would they cheat like this to keep a third stringer on the team that barely played at all. Thats why we only have to forfeit the 1st 2 games, cause the kid barely played
By AlterPride
September 14, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
CHEATING!?! If they were cheating, I highly doubt that they would’ve turned themselves in to the OHSSA. Nobody from another school or the OHSAA “discovered” this and alerted everyone, the Alter administration found out about this, and definetly did the right thing BY NOT CHEATING. To support my reasoning for not cheating, Why would they cheat like this to keep a third stringer on the team that barely played at all. Thats why we only have to forfeit the 1st 2 games, cause the kid barely played
By Walt
September 14, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this
Alter got caught CHAEATING? My, my it’s about time! Alter has dirt on it’s hands in all sports, especially basketball.
By daniel
September 14, 2008 6:58 AM | Link to this
if he was an illegal the schools and the gov. would turn there head!!if he is black the racist naacp group will get involved if he is white he is screwed!!!!
By Chuck
September 14, 2008 6:42 AM | Link to this
More nit-picking. GO BUCKS ! ! !
By L.R.
September 14, 2008 3:21 AM | Link to this
Plain & simple- Alter admistrators fault-plus student, parent(s)or legal guardian. Student & parent filled out a fraudulant elgibilty form. He had already completed (8) semesters by his Jr. yr. He would not be elgible at all for his Sr.yr. Administrators should have been aware of this(8) semester rule. Having to repeat So.yr. even he was a transfer- would be elgible for Jr. yr (only). Now school, students, & parents will have to live with the consequences…. It’s too BAD !!!!
By L.R.
September 14, 2008 3:20 AM | Link to this
Plain & simple- Alter admistrators fault-plus student, parent(s)or legal guardian. Student & parent filled out a fraudulant elgibilty form. He had already completed (8) semesters by his Jr. yr. He would not be elgible at all for his Sr.yr. Administrators should have been aware of this(8) semester rule. Having to repeat So.yr. even he was a transfer- would be elgible for Jr. yr (only). Now school, students, & parents will have to live with the consequences…. It’s too BAD !!!!
By AlterFanNumber1
September 14, 2008 1:41 AM | Link to this
The checklist is somewhat unclear and can easily be misconstrued: the actual type says “I have not been in highschool for more than 8 semesters” someone not familiar to the paperwork and just entering number 9 on the count could easily look over the question and answer without full understanding. The Alter administration did the right thing early, and will be awarded with the equivalent: trust from the …not that that can be traded for the 2 forfeited games though. see other ppl for rest
By AlterFanNumber1
September 14, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this
As an Alter Knight (not player), I find it disappointing to see this. Not to mention the fact that many people are pointing the finger when they dont know the entire situation. Yes, it was a breakdown in communications; not just on Alter’s part, but on the Jefferson’s as well. Strange, maybe so, but here’s why: Alter was going by what they had been provided at transfer. They had no reason to believe that the student would play sports, because he never did prior. CONTINUATION ON NEXT POST.
By robert
September 14, 2008 1:28 AM | Link to this
For all of those who thought this was another accusation of catholic school recruiting you are completely wrong. The kid played less than five downs in each game and was put in with the rest of JV’s at the end of the fourth quarter. This kid just wanted to be apart of a special brotherhood that football players expirience. I find that most of you are inconsiderate because of the fact that alter has run all over your a*s in the past and the present.
By alter sucks
September 14, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this
alter sucks
By britt
September 14, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
Again, what is the violation. I kmow nothing about HS sports but this seems a little odd. Is it because he wasnt registered at the start of the season? Why cant a KID play ball just because he has to change schools. If hes any good football can be his shot at a better shcool and a chance to go somewhere in life that might be otherwise denied. Now if there was some colussion in recuiting him, that would be a whole new puddle of ducks.
By eric
September 14, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
the rule that was broken is that people in their 5th year of high school are inelligible from participating in any athletic competitions during that 5th year.
By R. Taylor
September 14, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
I guess I don’t know enough about high school sports rules, but what is the offense? Are transfer students not allowed to play sports? The article does not explain this.
By Anonymous
September 14, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
The OHSAA has a 17 point check list on its student eligibility link. Simple to fill out. Maybe ought to turn this in at the beginning of the season along with the sports physical and picture day paperwork.
By Anonymous
September 14, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
The OHSAA has a 17 point check list on its student eligibility link. Simple to fill out. Maybe ought to turn this in at the beginning of the season along with the sports physical and picture day paperwork.
By zach
September 14, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
i shold know i gradatd fom alter.
By zach
September 13, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
i find it funny that this has happen after all theTrotwood-Madison problem i like how they when right to the ohsaa with it i found it funny
By Cry me a river
September 13, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
I guess all the Dr. and Lawyers cant buy their way out of this one. Next time you buy a recruit, check these thing out. That is what we did in the past.
By hughh
September 13, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
Alter should have done their homework. Shame the adults let the players down like this.
By Susan
September 13, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Clarification….BOTH of these games were in the 4th quarter when this particular player got a chance to get in the game, BOTH games were won well before he ever stepped foot on the field. Does the punishment fit? I think not.
By wondering
September 13, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Someone please help!It is unclear from the article what exactly the offense was. Is the issue that it has not been a year since the student transferred? I could not tell. Thanks for any clarification.
By Viperstick
September 13, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
Coach Domsitz is a class act. Having played for him, I know he will explain to his players that regardless of how this affects them, there are rules that have to be followed. Though it may affect their post-season hopes, it is a valuable lesson for the young men in a society where shades of gray permeate everyday actions.
By ryan
September 13, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
The same “accidents” occur in the basketball program as well.
By Anonymous
September 13, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
The punishment does fit the crime, but’s it not really a crime, it’s just something that Alter will have to do, you can’t use a player in a game that is ineligible because it’s against the rules, so Alter will have to forfeit two games, Alter High School Football Coach and Alter’s AD overlooked this, and they probably hope it doesn’t happen again. It is good for Fairmont and Bellbrook Though. It’s make their records better
By Anonymous
September 13, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
The punishment does fit the crime, but’s it not really a crime, it’s just something that Alter will have to do, you can’t use a player in a game that is ineligible because it’s against the rules, so Alter will have to forfeit two games, Alter High School Football Coach and Alter’s AD overlooked this, and they probably hope it doesn’t happen again. It is good for Fairmont and Bellbrook Though. It’s make their records better
By Matt
September 13, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
This type of thing unfortunately happens a lot in high school athletics with transfers. While Alter seemingly did not know what this kid’s situation, they are bound by the same rules as everyone else. Sucks for the kids but at least the Coach has a good attitude about it and is having the kids focus on still getting to the playoffs - which should not be a problem. Much respect for that.